When golfing as a family, look for a club that understands what family is about

Rod O’Hara joined Credit Valley Golf and Country Club 16 years ago in hopes that his young sons would take up golf and their time at the club would become a family affair.

That wish has come true, and it’s all thanks to Credit Valley, located less than 30 minutes from Toronto.

The beautiful 18-hole facility is just 10 minutes from the O’Hara household, and thanks to its accessibility, fun, and membership support, Credit Valley has become like a second home to the O’Hara family.

“The decision was very simple at the time,” says O’Hara of his reason for joining Credit Valley. “I didn’t grow up in the Greater Toronto Area, but I was a golfer. I worked a pro shop growing up when public golf was a lot more accessible. Playing public course golf once I moved to the GTA was challenging. I had three very young kids at the time and I was hoping they would want to grow up and play golf.
“Credit Valley has just a much better family orientation.”

The club’s amenities fit perfectly into the O’Hara’s busy lives. The golf course is close to home, located less than five minutes from the Hurontario exit of the QEW, and the driving range — fully renovated in 2016 — is the perfect place for the family to work on their game.
O’Hara’s three sons, ages 18 to 21, have now played golf their entire lives, with one earning a golf scholarship for a school in the United States. All three remain members at Credit Valley and still love it, he says.

Although the O’Hara boys are much older now, as youngsters they could be dropped off at the course and spend the day there, alongside many other juniors who were just learning the game.

Credit Valley has a robust junior program with excellent instructors with both the student and parents’ best interests at heart, helping to integrate the future of golf with the present. It’s not unusual to see a group of youngsters play with an older pair at Credit Valley, given the closeness of the membership, and the support the club has for its juniors.

“The people that come to the club really get that sense that they’re welcome, regardless of who they are,” says Ian Webb, the former Director of Golf and current Chief Operating Officer at Credit Valley. “Even if they don’t know where they’re going or what’s happening around the club, they’re greeted not just by staff but by members as well. We get that time and time again. People are always there to welcome, and that carries over when people join and are looking for a game of golf. Any time there is a twosome or threesome on the tee, it’s an invitation to join them. I see that every day.”
The proximity of Credit Valley is a big reason why the O’Hara family, like many others, decided to join.

The 10-minute drive is an easy one, and it has allowed the family to spend even more time at a place they love — the golf course.
“To think about getting in the car and driving an hour… I just wouldn’t do it,” says O’Hara.

With life as busy as it is these days, O’Hara says he and his sons don’t get to play as much golf as they used to together, but he says if they all had more time, they would make a point to do just that.

“Wow, we’d play together,” says O’Hara.

O’Hara waxes poetic about the evolution the club has seen since he first joined 16 years ago, making it an even better place for families than when he started.

The amenities — both on the golf course and at the club itself — are second-to-none.

“We went from a really nice golf course that had a quirky aspect, to one where all the quirkiness has been taken out. It’s both a more demanding golf course off the back tees, but also I’ve found the white tees are more playable. Conditioning has continually improved as well,” he says and is now consistent with the best in the GTA. “From a facilities perspective, the driving range has been dramatically upgraded and it’s probably one of the best private club driving ranges in the country. We have a fantastic short game facility and the clubhouse was completely redone and improved upon.”
And although 16 years have passed since he’s joined Credit Valley, he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“(Credit Valley) has just gotten better in that time,” he says. “And it’s just worked out perfectly.”

Less than 30 minutes from downtown Toronto, Credit Valley Golf and Country Club is a private golf club located in the heart of Mississauga nestled on the banks of the beautiful and serene Credit River. With a commitment to community, Credit Valley Golf and Country Club is the perfect place for your family to call home.

For more information on memberships, visit http://www.creditvalleygolf.com